The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on Saturday invoked its regulatory powers to control unusually high airfares being charged during the ongoing IndiGo operational disruption, directing airlines to adhere to newly prescribed fare caps.
The Ministry issued an official order mandating that airlines strictly adhere to the fare ceilings introduced on all affected routes. These caps will remain in place until operations stabilise. The Ministry said the move is intended to maintain pricing discipline and avoid financial hardship for passengers during the disruption.
According to the Ministry, the decision aims to prevent “opportunistic pricing” and protect passengers facing urgent travel needs, including senior citizens, students and patients.
MoCA stated it will track real-time fare movements through coordination with airlines and online travel platforms. Any deviation from the prescribed norms will lead to immediate corrective action in the public interest.
Airfares across major Indian domestic routes have surged 3 to 10 times normal levels since IndiGo’s operational disruptions began around December 2, 2025, driven by over 1,000 flight cancellations on December 5 alone due to pilot and crew shortages stemming from new flight duty-time limit rules. This supply crunch has spiked demand for alternatives like Air India and SpiceJet, with fares tripling or quadrupling on high-traffic corridors.
IndiGo plans reduced flights from December 8, aiming for full stability by February 10, 2026, with refunds and accommodations for affected passengers.>
